Sojitz Corporation, a Japanese conglomerate, has officially commenced operations at one of Vietnam’s largest beef processing plants located in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc Province, as of December 17, 2024. This facility is pioneering in Vietnam as it is the first to process refrigerated beef, ensuring that all meat is handled in a highly controlled and sanitized environment. Sojitz aims to process and ship approximately 10,000 tons of beef annually from this plant. Additionally, in March 2025, the company plans to start operating a cattle farm nearby to secure a consistent supply of high-quality beef products, thereby enriching the local food culture.
Vietnam’s current meat market predominantly features pork and chicken, with annual beef consumption limited to about 500,000 tons. In contrast, Japan consumes around 1 million tons of beef annually. Most beef sold in Vietnam is processed and shipped at room temperature, primarily for traditional markets. However, with a growing population of 100 million people and rising income levels, there is an anticipated increase in domestic demand for high-quality beef processed in sanitized environments.
Sojitz established Japan Vietnam Livestock Co., Ltd. (JVL) in September 2021 as a joint venture with Vietnam Livestock Corporation JSC to enhance its beef livestock business. Since 2022, JVL has been test marketing Japanese beef imports and has begun selling Vietnamese beef products through various channels including supermarkets and restaurants. The beef products will be distributed in Vietnam through Sojitz’s four-temperature cold-chain logistics service, targeting sales to mid to high-end hotels and restaurants within the customer network of DaiTan Viet Joint Stock Company, the largest commercial food wholesaler in the Sojitz Group.
As part of its Medium-term Management Plan 2026, Sojitz aims to further strengthen its presence in the Vietnamese market by expanding its logistics and retail businesses. The integrated system from cattle farming to processing and sales will not only ensure a stable supply of Vietnamese beef products but also promote collaboration across different business sectors to enhance the food value chain in Vietnam.
(Source: Sojitz)